Weed exterminator



Dec. 4, 1934. DlcK 1,982,646

WEED EXTERMINATOR Filed Aug. 21, 1933 NNNNNN OR Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 21,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to weed exterminators, and its general object is to provide an electrically heated boring tool that can be easily and expeditiously inserted in the ground to come in contact with or be disposed adjacent to the roots of weeds or other vegetation and burn the same, to cause complete destruction thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrically heated boring tool for the destruction of vegetation, that is motor driven to expedite the boring action.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically heated boring tool of the character set forth, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and extremely efilcient in operation and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which: 1 Figure 1 is a view illustrating one form of my tool, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of a modified form of my tool with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that my tool includes a curved handle 1 that is shaped somewhat to conform to the shape of a pistol handle and has formed therewith or otherwise secured thereto a flange 2 that acts in the capacity of a bearing member for rotatably receiving the upper end of a sleeve 3 which is tapered from its connection with the flange 2, to its outer or ground penetrating end, the latter being relatively pointed as shown.

The sleeve has formed therewith or otherwise secured thereto ribs 4 that are spirally arranged thereon, to bring about an expeditious boring action of the tool as will be apparent.

The handle 1 may be formed from any well known insulating material that is not affected by heat, and secured to the lower end of the handle or formed therewith is a tapered core 5, which 1933, Serial No. 686,145

is likewise formed from insulating material and is provided with a spirally arranged groove to receive a heat wire 6 which has electrically connected thereto a conductor 7, the latter extending through the handle 1 for connection with a suitable source of current, not shown. The core 5 is co-extensive with the length of the sleeve 3 but is of a size to allow for free rotation of the sleeve thereon.

In the form of the invention just described, it will be obvious that when the tool is inserted in the ground the sleeve 3 will rotate, due to the spiral ribs 4, therefore very little effort is necessary on the part of the user in causing the tool to penetrate the ground. A suitable switch may be employed for controlling the passage of current to the heat wire 6, and the switch may be secured to the handle 1.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 3 to 5 inclusive, it will be noted that I likewise employ a handle 8 of the same shape as the handle 1, and the handle 8 has formed therewith a hollow tapered shank 9 which has mounted for rotation thereon a tapered sleeve 10, the latter being provided with spirally arranged ribs 11 and terminates at its lower end in a penetrating point as shown. The upper end of the tapered sleeve 10 has formed therewith or otherwise secured thereto a collar 12 which is received in bearing brackets 13, for rotatably securing the sleeve 10 with respect to the handle, as the bearing brackets 13 are fixed to the handle, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5.

The sleeve 10 has formed therewith or otherwise secured thereto adjacent to the collar 12, a gear 14 and fixed to the handle 8 is an electric motor 15, which has secured to the armature shaft thereof a gear 16 that is disposed in mesh with the gear 14, so that the sleeve 10 is motor driven as will be apparent.

Arranged in the hollow tapered shank 9 is a core 17 of insulating material and the core is provided with a spirally arranged groove 18 to receive a heat wire 19 which is in electrical connection with a conductor 20, and the latter is likewise electrically connected to the motor for furnishing current therefor.

In the form of the invention just described, it will be obvious that slight effort on the part of the user will cause the tool to penetrate the ground, due to the motor driven sleeve and the spiral ribs thereof.

A suitable switch may likewise be employed for this form of the invention and secured on the handle in any appropriate place, so that the heating element as well as the motor can be controlled by the operator during the use of the tool.

From the above description and disclosure of the drawings, it will be obvious that the tool is inserted in the ground to come in contact with or be disposed adjacent to the roots of weeds or other vegetation, and therefore burn and destroy the same.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

WhatIclaim is:

1. A weed exterminator comprising a handle, ground penetrating means secured to said handle and mounted for rotation with respect thereto, spiral ribs for said ground penetrating means,

and heating means for the ground penetrating means and disposed therein.

2. A weed exterminator comprising a curved handle, ground penetrating means carried by said handle and mounted for rotation, spirally arranged ribs included in said ground penetrating means, a core disposed in said ground penetrating means, a heat wire arranged about said core for heating the ground penetrating means;vand means for rotating the ground penetrating, means.

3 A weed exterminator comprising a handle, ground penetrating means secured to said handle and mounted for rotation, boring means included in said ground penetrating means, a gear secured to the ground penetrating means, a motor fixed to the handle and connected with the gear for rotating the ground penetrating means, heating means for the ground penetrating means and means-for supplying electric current to the motor and heating means.

- ESTE L. DICK. 

